Girdle or like garment



Oct. 27, 1942. H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE OR LIKE GARMENT Filed Aug. 21, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 27, 1942. H, M, HERBENER 2,300,153

GIRDLE 0R LIKE GARMENT Filed Aug. 21, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1942- H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE OR LIKE GARMENT Filed Aug. 21, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gvwwam Henry M HQI'ZDQILQI' Patented Oct. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to girdles or like garments.

An important object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character which will give the maximum freedom of movement to the user, as when dancing, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character which will promote the comfort of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character which will remain in position against improper rising movement without the use of garter attachments.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the pull on the garment due to the raising of one leg is transmitted to the other leg receiving portion of the garment in a generally horizontal direction, thus preventing the upward creeping of the garment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a girdle embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line ii of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of a girdle embodying a modified form of the invention,

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a girdle embodying a further modification of the invention, and,

Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the girdle shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of a girdle embodying a further modification of the invention,

Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the same, and

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a further modified form of the invention.

Attention being called first to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the numeral [9 designates the tubular or body receiving portion of the girdle, including side panels H. The side panels II are flexible and are formed of elastic fabric, woven or knit, and this elastic fabric is preferably both horizontally and vertically elastic. It is also preferred that the side panels II have a longer and easier or weaker stretch vertically than hori zontally. The body portion It is shown as further preferably comprising a front panel 12, stitched to the sides I! by lines of stitching l3. The panel I2 is preferably horizontally nonelastic and vertically elastic. The body portion in further comprises a rear panel l4, attached to the side panels II as shown at E5 and this rear panel is preferably vertically elastic and horizontally non-elastic.

Arranged at the top of the body portion IE is a horizontally elastic band It, having spaced transverse stiffening ribs ll, held in pockets therein. This band may be of a construction as shown and described in my Patent No. 2,136,742. The band extends over the top edge of the side panels H and the top edge of the rear panel l4, and is stitched to these parts by a line of zig-zag stitching l8. The band It is secured to the edges of the front panel [2 by lines of stitching 19. It is thus seen that the band 16 extends throughout at least a portion of the circumference of the body portion 10, at its top, and its function is to prevent the top of the body portion In from rolling. The side panels I i and panels I2 and M are free from ribs and their upper ends would tend to roll.

Secured to the lower ends of the flexible and elastic side panels H, by zig-zag stitching 20 are sections of webbing 2|. These sections of webbing are relatively Wide vertically and are provided with transverse stiffening ribs 22,

spaced as shown. The Webbing is similar to that shown and described in my said Letters Patent No. 2,136,742. The webbing 21 is horizontally elastic and preferably vertically inelastic and the stiffening ribs prevent the webbing from folding vertically. The opposite ends of the webbing 2| are cut diagonally, at their upper horizontal edges as indicated at 23 providing tapered portions 24, at the front and back of the garment. The ribs in the tapered portion 24 are correspondingly shortened.

The front panel I2 has its lower end cut to provide an upwardly arched edge 25, preferably faced with a longitudinally elastic finishing tape 26. The arching of the front panel is preferably pronounced, to give extreme freedom of action of the limbs. This arching affords downwardly projecting tapered extensions 27, which overlap the tapered portions 24, and are stitched thereto by the lines of stitching it. It should be noted that the attachments of the tapered portions 21 with the tapered portions 24 are immediately forwardly of one of the full-length portions 24 of the leg encircling bands.

stiffening ribs 22. This is important in the transmission ofthe pull exerted upon the panel l2 to the webbing 2!, as will be more fully explained.

The ends of the lower front edge 26 are disposed between the ends of the front ribs 22, near points equidistantly spaced from the ends of the ribs, but preferably slightly below these points.

In a similar manner, the back panel 54 has its lower end slightly arched to provide an edge 23, faced with a longitudinally elastic finishing tape 29. The arching of the edge 28 is not as pronounced as the arching of the lower end of the front panel. portions or ends 3!), arranged upon the outer side of the tapered portions 2 3, and attached thereto by continuations of the lines of stitching l5, as shown. The tapered ends 303 are attached to the tapered portions 24, as stated, in advance of the rear ribs 22, and at points preferably equidistantly spaced from the ends of the same.

Attached to the tapered portions 24 are narrow sections of webbing Si, by means of stitching 32. The webbing 3i is longitudinally elastic and preferably vertically inelastic and carries transverse or vertical stiffening ribs. This webbing is preferably of the construction shown and described in my said Patent No. 2,136,742. The

webbing 3! and the webbing 2i produce leg en- P circling rings or bands. The sections of webbing 2! form continuations of the side panels It, and these side panels extend at their lower ends below the front and back panels, whereby the front and back panels are out high. The webbing 2i forms a continuation of the sides l l. The tapered portions 24 of the webbing and the narrow webbing 3| produce a leg encircling band. The front panel [2 and the rear panel M overlap the outer The lower edges 25 and 28 of the front and back panels l2 and M respectively are arranged at an elevation above the lower edges of the side portions, thus promoting the freedom of movement of the user.

In the use of the form of girdle shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the leg encircling bands and associated elements prevent the girdle from rising on the wearer. If the user raises the right the left leg will not be elevated on the leg. As shown, the inner portion of the leg encircling band in substantial alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the panel i2 is free from connection with the panel l2 and there is no upward pull upon this inner portion. Due to the fact that the panel i2 is attached to one webbing 2| nearer the outer side of the leg and to the other webbing 2i nearer the outer side of the other leg, the upward movement of either leg will produce a resultant force upon the outer side of the other leg which force is mostly horizontal. This horizontal force being directed to the webbing immediately in front of the rib 2 2 and at a point near the center of the rib, will cause that portion of the webbing outwardly of the rib to be pressed against the leg in a horizontal direction, thus overcoming the tendency that might otherwise be present for the webbing to rise on the leg. Further, since the pull from the front section i2 is applied to the webbing 2| at the center of the stiffening rib, this pull is transmitted by the stiffening rib to the lower The rear panel it has tapered edge of the Webbing, thus retaining the garment suitably taut at its lower edge.

The same action occurs at the rear of this garment.

In Figure 6, I have shown a girdle comprising a body portion including a rear panel 33, which is flexible and preferably vertically elastic and horizontally non-elastic, In this form of the invention the webbing 2! does not have the rear tapered portions 24 but has its rear ends cut at a right angle to their longitudinal axes and the panel 33 is secured to the sides H and webbing 2! by lines of zig-zag stitching 34. The webbing 3! are secured to the webbing 2! by the lines of stitching 34. This form of the girdle is otherwise identical with the first form of the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have shown a further modification of the girdle. In these figures the body portion comprises side panels 35, corresponding to the side panels ll and formed of similar material which are horizontally and vertically elastic, in the manner described in connection with the sides ll. The numeral 36 designates a front panel, which is preferably vertically elastic and horizontally inelastic and the front panel is attached to the side panels 35 by zig-zag lines of stitching 37. A longitudinally elastic band or webbing 38 with transverse stiffening ribs, corresponding to the webbing l6, is secured to the upper ends of the side panels 35 and the top of the insert 36, as shown.

Arranged at the lower ends of the side panels 35 are vertically wide sections of webbing 39, having transverse stiffening ribs 46. The sections of webbing 39 correspond. to the sections of webbing 2!, Figure 1, and have-tapered end portions 4!, with narrow webbing 42 attached thereto, as shown at $3. The webbing 52 has transverse stiffening ribs and correspond to the webbing 3i. As shown in Figure 7, the side panels 35 extend inwardly beyond the outer ends of the tapered portions 5!, and are secured to these tapered portions by lines of zig-zag stitching 44. This leaves sections 45 of the sides 35 overlapping the tapered portions d! and arranged between the lines of stitching 3i and the lines of stitching 44. This produces a garment having more elasticity at the point of connection between the sides and the webbing 39. The back of the girdle shown in Figure 7 is illustrated in Figure 8. The panel 46 is relatively narrow and is vertically elastic and preferably horizontally nonelastic. This panel is attached to the side panels 35 by zig-zag lines of stitching 47. The rear ends of the webbing 39 are not tapered, but are cut off at a right angle to their longitudinal axes and are attached to the side panels 35 by lines of stitching 48. The side panels 35 have portions 49 arranged between the lines of stitching and the lines of stitching M. The webbing 42 is secured to the webbing 39 by the zig-zag stitching 43. The portions 49 of the side panels 35 provide an increased yielding connection between the side panels and the leg encircling rings or bands.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the use of the garment, the operation is similar to that described in connection with the first form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. The front of the garment formed by the panel 3.6 and portions of the side panels 35 is vertically arched, as shown at 5|, and the arched edge is preferably faced with a longitudinally elastic finishing tape. This arched edge is secured to the webbing 39 at a point near the center of and immediately in advance of the fullalength rib 40, and the pull upon this arched edge will be transmitted to the webbing 39, through the medium of the transverse rib Ml, as heretofore explained. The webbing 39 forms a continuation of the side panels 35 and these side panels extend downwardly below the front and back panels.

In Figures 9 and 10, the numeral 52 designates the body portion of the girdle, which is preferably vertically and horizontally elastic. The body portion 52 is formed of a fabric, woven or knit. Secured to the top edge of the body portion 52 is a band 53, having transverse stiffening ribs 54. This band ,is preferably of the construction as shown and described in my Patent 2,136,742.

Carried by the lower end of the body portion 52 are leg encircling portions or hands 55. These leg encircling portions 55 include outer portions 58, integral with the body portion 52, and inner portions formed separate from the outer portions 56 and stitched thereto at 58. The body portion 52 has a front portion 59, which overlaps the inner portions 51 of the leg encircling portions and is arranged outwardly of the upper portions of the stitching 58. The inner portions 5'? are tapered and the lower edge Eli of the front portion 59 is arched and arranged well above the inner portions 57, as shown. At the rear, the outer portions have vertical edges .il, stitched to the inner portions 51. At the rear of the garment, the body portion 52 continues down to the line of stitching at (H and this line of stitch-- ing does not project under the rear of the body portion. The outer portions 56 of the leg encircling portions have vertical stiffening ribs 52, secured thereto by any suitable means. The inner portions 51 of the leg encircling portions may have vertical stiffening ribs 63,, secured thereto in any suitable manner. The outer portions 56 are shown as circumferential elastic and the inner portions 57 may be circumferential elastic, if desired. As clearly shown in Figure 9, the vertical ribs 62 extend above the point of connection between the lower edge 6|] with the leg encircling portions, and the front portion 59 extends over the major portion of the leg encircling portions 55. The tension from one leg encircling portion is transmitted through the front portion 5-9 and its edge 60 to the other leg encircling portion, at a point below the upper end of its rib 62, whereby this tension will be transmitted to the lower edge of the last named leg encircling portion. At the rear of the garment, the tension is transmitted through the edge 64, in a similar manner.

In Figure 11, I have shown a girdle embodying a further modification of the invention. This girdle has a body portion 64 which is preferably both vertically and horizontally elastic. At its lower end, the body portion 64 carries leg encircling portions 65, formed integral with the body portion 64, and the body portion 64 may either be woven or knit. Ihe inner portions of the leg encircling portions 65 are separate from the bottom edge 65. In this form of the invention, the inner portions 6'! of the leg encircling portions are not tapered and are not overlapped by the front portion of the body portion. The overlapping arrangement as shown in the prior forms of my invention is preferred, since it closes a space through which the flesh would bulge, but some degree of success may be obtained by omitting .this overlapping feature. The outer por- The rear of the girdle shown in Figure 11 may be identical with the front, and no further .description is therefore necessary.

In Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, and 5 to 8 inclusive, the webbing at the bottom of the side panels forms a continuation of the side panels and the side panels extend downwardly below the bottom edges of the front and back panels. The side panels in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, and the side portions in Figures 9 to 11 inclusive carry the upstanding stiffening ribs. Each side panel or 'side portion has a front and rear stiffening rib,

and these stiffening ribs extend from points adjacent to the bottom edges of the side panel or side portions to points above the bottom edges of the front and back panels and terminate at elevations considerably below the top of the body portion so that they will not interfere with the action of the hip joints in sitting. The front and rear portions of the girdle may consist of the front and rear panels alone, or they may consist of the front and rear panels extending into the side panels.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and the various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A girdle or the like comprising a body por tion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, said body portion including side portions, a back portion, and a front portion, the side portions extending downwardly below the bottom edge of the front portion, an upstanding stiffening rib secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from a point adjacent to the bottom edge of the side portion to a point above the outer end of the bottom edge of the front portion, the front portion being attached to the side portions in advance of the ribs so that a pull upon the front portion will be transmitted to the ribs between their upper and lower ends, and leg bands secured to the side portions, the inner portions of the leg bands being free from the front and back portions.

2. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, said body portion including side portions, a back portion, and a front portion, the side portions extending downwardly below the bottom edge of the front portion, an upstanding stiffening rib secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from a point adjacent to the bottom edge of the side portion to a point above the outer end of the bottom edge of the front portion, and leg bands secured to the side portions, the front portion being arranged in overlapping reliation with the outer portions of the leg bands and attached to the side portions in advance of the upstanding ribs,

the arrangement being such that the tension applied to the front portion adjacent to its bottom edge is transmitted to either rib between the ends of the rib.

3. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, said body portion including side portions, a back portion, and a front portion, the side portions extending downwardly below the bottom edges of the front portion and back portion, upstanding stiffening ribs secured to the side portions and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom edges of the side portions to points above the outer ends of the bottom edge of the front portion, and leg encircling bands secured to the side portions, the front portion and the rear portion being arranged in overlapping relation with the outer portions of the leg encircling bands and attached to the side portions, the stiffening ribs being arranged outwardly of the front portion and rear portion, the arrangement being uch that tension upon the front portion is transmitted to either rib between the ends thereof.

4. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, said body portion including side portions, a back portion, and a front portion, the side portions extending downwardly below the bottom edge of the front portion, upstanding stiffening ribs secured to the side portions outwardly of and adjacent to the front portion and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom edges of the side portions to points above the outer ends of the bottom edge of the front portion, and leg encircling bands secured to the side portions, the front portion being arranged in overlapping relation with the outer portions of the leg encircling bands and attached to the side portions in advance of the upstanding ribs, the outer ends of the bottom edge of the front portion being arranged approximately equidistantly spaced from the opposite ends of each rib, the arrangement being such that the tension applied to the front portion adjacent to its bottom edge is transmitted to either rib between the ends of the rib.

5. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, said body portion including side portions, a back portion, and a front portion, the side portions extending downwardly below the bottom edge of the front portion and terminating at an elevation below the crotch of the wearer while the bottom edge of the front portion terminates at generally the elevation of such crotch, upstanding stiffening ribs secured to the side portions outwardly of and adjacent to the front portion and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom edges of the side portions to points above the outer ends of the bottom edge of the front portion, the front portion being attached to the side portions in advance of the upstanding ribs so that tension upon the front portion adjacent to its bottom edge is transmitted to either rib between the end of the rib, and leg encircling bands secured to the side portions, the inner portions of the leg encircling bands being spaced from the bottom edges of the front and back portions.

6. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the front portion of the girdle being out high at its bottom for providing a front opening for promoting the freedom of leg movejacent to the sides of the thighs and secured to the body portion, the front of the body portion being attached to the sides adjacent to the stiffening ribs and the outer ends of the bottom edge of the front being positioned below the top of the ribs, and leg encircling bands secured to the sides of the body portion and having outer portions overlapping with said front, the inner portions of the leg encircling bands being separate from the front.

7. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the body portion having an open crotch, the body portion including front and back portions and side portions, the side portions extending downwardly below the front portion, front and rear upstanding stiffening ribs secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom of the side portion to points above the bottom edge of the front portion, the front ribs terminating at elevations considerably below the top of the body portion so that they will not interfere with the action of the hip joints in sitting, the front portion exerting an inward pull upon the front ribs and the back portion exerting an inward pull upon the rear ribs, and a leg band secured to the front and rear of each side portion, the inner portions of the leg bands being separate from the front portion, the leg bands serving to exert an inward pull upon the front and rear ribs.

8. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the body portion having an open crotch, the body ortion including front and back portions and side portions, the side portions extending downwardly below the front and back portions, front and rear upstanding stiffening ribs secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom of the side portion to points above the bottom edges of the front and back portions and terminating at elevations considerably below the top of the body portion so that they will not interfere with the action of the hip joints in sitting, the front portion exerting an inward pull upon the front ribs at points below their upper ends and the back portion exerting an inward pull upon the rear ribs at points below their upper ends.

9. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the body portion having an open crotch, the body portion including front and back portions and side portions, the side portions extending downwardly below the front portion, an upstanding stifiening rib secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from a point adjacent to the bottom of the side portion to a point above the bottom edge of the front portion and terminating at an elevation considerably below the top of the body portion so that it will not interfere with the action of the hip joints in sitting, the front portion exerting an inward pull upon the ribs, a leg band secured to the front and rear of each side portion, the leg bands serving to exert an inward pull upon the ribs, and transverse stiffening ribs secured to the inner portions of the leg bands.

10. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the body portion having an open crotch, the body portion including front and back portions and side portions, the side portions extending downwardly below the front portion, an upstanding stiffening rib secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from a point adjacent to the bottom of the side portion to a point above the bottom edge of the front portion and terminating at an elevation considerably below the top of the body portion so that it will not interfere with the action of the hip joints in sitting, a leg band secured to the front and rear of each side portion, the front portion and leg bands serving to exert an inward pull upon the ribs.

11. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the body portion having an open crotch, the body portion including front and back panels and side panels, the side panels extending downwardly below the front panels, the side panels having parts thereof formed of two-way stretch fabric, an upstanding stiffening rib secured to each side panel and extending upwardly from a point adjacent to the bottom of the side panel to a point above the bottom edge of the front panel and terminating at an elevation considerably below the top of the body portion so that it will not interfere with the action of the hip joints in sitting, portions of the two-way stretch fabric at the front being interposed between the front panel and ribs and portions of the two-way stretch fabric at the back being interposed between the back panel and the ribs, a leg band secured to the front and rear of each side panel, the leg bands and the front and back panels serving to exert an inward pull upon the ribs.

12. A girdle or the like comprising a body portion which is at least in part elastic circumferentially in use, the body portion having an open crotch, the body portion including front and back portions and side portions, the side portions extending downwardly below the front and back portions, an upstanding stiffening rib secured to each side portion and extending upwardly from a point adjacent to the bottom of the side por-- tion to a point above the bottom edge of the front and back portions and terminating at an 

